Mini Book for a Birthday

My MIL's birthday is this weekend and it seems to be a tradition in the Wild family to find English candy they ate in their youth. This year my husband is quite pleased with himself because he managed to find some Fry's Chocolate Cream chocolate bars in a few flavors for his Mum. He has noticed that I am on a box making kick so asked if I could make something to hold the chocolate bars. I was happy to oblige. :)

I decided to make a mini book, I guess you could call it, with pockets to hold the 4 bars as well as a pocket for the gift card which is the main part of my MIL's present.

I began the project by cutting a front and back cover (4.5x7.5) out of designer paper. The designer paper had a scalloped border all around it so I made sure to keep some for the edges of my book. I actually cut 2 front cover and 2 back covers and glued them together since the designer paper I chose was only single sided but since my MIL loves owls the paper was a must! I stamped the "happy definition" on a matching piece of solid cardstock and matted it on a piece of gold paper then added it to the front cover. I made a medallion out of a piece of ribbon (Magenta) I had kicking around, I finished the medallion off with a button and a large gem in the center. I added a gem to the bottom of the cover as well. I thought the cover needed a little more so I stamped the birch trees out of a scrap of cardstock and cut it out. I also stamped an owl from the same set as the birch tree set and cut him out. I attached both to the front of the book with some Tombow Mono Multi glue. I wanted some of the definition words to pop a little more so added some Glossy Accents over the words Happy, Birthday, Celebrate and Party. The owl's eyes also got some Glossy Accents. My Glossy Accents were still wet when I took my photos but when it dries it is perfectly clear and raised.

I left the inside front cover blank except for a stamped owl.

I made 4 pockets for the pages of the book (9x7") by cutting the cardstock and folding each piece in half and gluing the long edge. I was a bit cheap with my glue so when I put the chocolate bars in some of the seams burst so had to re-do some of my glue. If you are copying me make sure you don't cheap out on the glue. :) I stamped and decorated each page a shown with Stampendous stamps and by doodling with my Tombow gel pen.

I finished the inside back cover by adding a pocket for the gift card and stamping the sentiment and added the "mum" banner along the middle of the pocket.

I left the back outside cover blank with just the owl paper showing.

I pulled out my trusty Bind It All machine and bound everything together to make my book. Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe:

Tools: Bind It All & 1 inch wires

Stamps: Hero Arts Dictionary Greetings (Cl479) & Find Joy (Cl497), Stampendous Bday Messages (SSC180), Mega Happy (SSC115) & Birch Buddies (SSC1055), JustRite Myriad Pro font

Inks: Memento tuxedo black

Papers: My Mind's Eye, Bazzill & Paper Cut

Other: Tombow markers (977 & 990), Ranger Glossy Accents, Magenta Marayma ribbon, Autumn Leaves button, Kaisercraft gems